True polar wander

A re-evaluation of the existence of true polar wander (TPW) since the Late Cretaceous and a comparison among the various approaches are made using updated paleomagnetic, hotspot and relative motion datasets. Previous attempts to determine the existence of TPW had resulted in different conclusions: comparison of hotspot locations and paleomagnetic poles required significant pole motion, although lithospheric plate displacement analysis yielded insignificant motion. However, these earlier determinations cannot be directly compared to find the reason for the discrepancies, because each used different datasets. For this study the different approaches are applied to a single updated model with three alternative relative motions of East and West Antarctica. Although the results are model-dependent, in general there was not significant motion of the pole relative to the lithosphere (1–5°) since the early Tertiary, but a large motion (10–12°) relative to the hotspot framework. It is unlikely that errors in the determinations could account for this disagreement: the A₉₅ of the plate reconstruction is about 3°, the uncertainty in Antarctica motion is estimated to no larger than 3°, and cumulative errors in the relative plate motions may also amount to 3°. Only if all these errors are present in the maximum estimated amount, and in the same direction, could they account for the 10–12° gap between the two approaches. This conclusion of pole motion relative to the hotspots, but not the lithosphere, may indicate an independent shift of the mesosphere relative to the lithosphere (or “mantle roll” of Hargraves and Duncan).     

Topographic comparisons of uplift features on Venus and Earth: Implications for Venus tectonics

Venus and Earth display different hypsography. We use topographic profiles to search for well-understood terrestrial analogs to venusian features. Specifically, by using cross-correlation, we correlate average profiles for terrestrial rifts (slow and fast, “ultra-slow,” incipient and inactive) and also hotspots (oceanic and continental) with those for venusian chasmata and regiones, to draw inferences as to the processes responsible for shaping Venus’ surface. Correlations tend to improve with faster spreading rates; Venus’ correlations rank considerably lower than terrestrial ones, suggesting that if chasmata are analogous to terrestrial spreading centers, then spreading on Venus barely attains ultra-slow rates. Individual features’ normalized average profiles are correlated with profiles of other such features to establish the degree of similarity, which in turn allows for the construction of a covariance matrix. Principal component analysis of this covariance matrix shows that Yellowstone more strongly resembles Atla, Beta and W. Eistla regiones than it does the terrestrial oceanic hotspots, and that venusian chasmata, especially Ganis, most closely resemble the ultra-slow spreading Arctic ridge.     

Subducted lithosphere,hotspots, and the geoid

The earth's largest positive geoid height anomalies are associated with subduction zones and hotspots. Although the correlation with subduction has been noted for many years, the correlation with hotspots is fully evident only when the subduction-related geoid highs are removed from the observed field. Using the assumption that subducted lithospheric slabs are uncompensated and are thermally re-equilibrated with the asthenosphere at the maximum depth of earthquakes, the expected geoid anomaly over subduction zones is calculated. This field provides a satis-factory fit to the observed circum-Pacific high. Subtraction of this predicted anomaly leaves a residual field which is correlated, at greater than the 99% confidence level, with the distribution of hotspots. Broad residual geoid highs occur over the central Pacific and the Africa/eastern Atlantic regions, the same areas where the hotspots are concentrated. The mass anomalies associated with hotspots and subducted slabs apparently control the location of the earth's spin axis.     

Origin of martian northern hemisphere mid-latitude lobate debris aprons

Lobate debris aprons in the martian mid- to high-latitudes (northern and southern hemispheres) have been interpreted as ice-related features that indicate periglacial climate conditions as recently as late Amazonian. Using MOLA topographic profiles perpendicular to apron flow fronts, we surveyed 36 debris aprons in the northern hemisphere found in the regions of Mareotis, Protonilus, and Deuteronilus Mensae and Acheron Fossae. The profiles of these aprons were compared with idealized simple plastic and viscous power law models for ice-rock mixtures. All aprons studied exhibit convex profiles similar to a simple plastic model. This confirms previous interpretations that debris aprons are ice-rich mixtures with rheologies similar to stagnant ice sheets, thus indicating high ice concentrations (>40% by volume). About 60% of the surveyed debris apron population significantly deviates from the idealized simple plastic model profile; this may be due to locally reduced ice content, which primarily controls apron topography. Although post-emplacement modification due to near-surface ice sublimation plays a secondary role in defining the overall shape of aprons, it causes conspicuous surface textures. Degradation by ice sublimation probably results in pitted and ridge-and-furrow surface textures revealed by high resolution MOC images. Such textures may indicate decreased near-surface ice stability since the formation of the aprons, possibly due to Mars' current low obliquity after their emplacement. High ice content inferred from topography suggests some debris aprons have ice cores: potentially exploitable water resources for future robotic/human operations that could prove invaluable for missions remote from polar regions.     

Flow models for back-arc spreading

A secondary flow model for back-arc spreading is developed in this paper that shows some of the characteristics of observed back-arc spreading. Back-arc spreading has formed marginal seas around the west and southwest rim of the Pacific. The episodic spreading and different directions of opening are not completely understood; however, there does appear to be a limited lifetime (< 17 m.y.) and when one episode of spreading ends, there is a lag time (6–10 m.y.) before another adjacent one begins. This suggests that back-arc flow is caused by secondary flow induced by subduction. Simple scaling arguments with physically reasonable values suggest that forced and free convection effects will be nearly equal. A two-dimensional, finite difference model is developed and several numerical experiments lasting 160 m.y. with a varying subduction rate are discussed. These experiments show stress surges lasting 10–20 m.y. and a series of eddies and counter-eddies behind the trench with a spatial scale of 300–400 km. This supports the idea that back-arc spreading is the result of transient eddies induced by the subducting slab.     

Microplate motions in the hotspot reference frame

We have computed motions of the major plates (seven large plates and seven medium‐sized plates) and 38 microplates relative to the hotspot reference frame, and present velocities of these 52 plates. Moreover, using updated plate boundaries for the present, we have computed new geometrical factors for plates and microplates, useful for kinematic calculations and to obtain the net‐rotation of the lithosphere and plate velocities in the mean‐lithosphere reference frame. Instead of a continuum or gradational distribution of the plates by size, the plates clearly partition into three groups each having their own characteristics. For the seven large plates, rotation poles generally lie in high latitudes; the seven medium‐sized plates have rotation poles in a restricted equatorial area; the 38 small plates show the greatest scatter. Moreover subsets of the 52 plates reveal differing fractal behaviour: the large, middle and small groupings each have a characteristic fractal dimension, suggestive of microplate clustering. The highest angular velocities occur for some of the smallest plates, with the location of their rotation poles closeby. Terra Nova, 18, 276–281, 2006